HSLS Update

Building the Electronic Collection in Molecular Biology

Vector NTI and Current Protocols Online

HSLS Information Services in Molecular Biology and Genetics is pleased to announce the availability of two new resources — Vector NTI and Current Protocols Online.

Vector NTI Suite 1: Informax Inc.

Vector NTI Suite 1 is an integrated sequence analysis and data management software package, which allows molecular biologists to analyze, manipulate, construct, store and manage complex biological molecules. The package consists of three independent, yet interconnected components:

• Vector NTI core, a molecular biology sequence manipulation program
• Align X, a multiple sequence alignment program
• BioAnnotator, a comprehensive set of protein and nucleic acid sequence analysis tools.

Using Vector NTI you can:

• Generate recombinant cloning strategies and protocols
• Design and analyze PCR primers
• Catalog a growing number of plasmids and PCR primers, in order to track the origin and lineage of recombinant molecules
• Animate virtual gels for restriction fragment analysis
• Analyze physiochemical properties of DNA and proteins
• Perform and edit multiple sequence alignments on proteins or nucleic acids
• Create publication quality graphics and more

HSLS has purchased one Vector NTI access seat, which is available by appointment in the Falk Library Computer and Media Center (CMC) by contacting Ansuman Chattopadhyay, PhD, HSLS information specialist in molecular biology and genetics at ansuman@pitt.edu or 412-648-1297. An easy to follow manual offers an excellent introduction to the various capabilities of this software at <www.informaxinc.com/documentation/vectornti/index.htm>.

Current Protocols Online: Wiley InterScience

The Current Protocols laboratory manuals are considered the standard for scientific research methods. First in this series, Current Protocol in Molecular Biology, commonly known as the Red Book, has set a standard of excellence for laboratory manuals since 1987.

In addition to Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC researchers now have access to the following online manuals in the Current Protocols series <www.hsls.pitt.edu/resources/ebooks>: Bioinformatics, Cell Biology, Human Genetics, Neuroscience, Nucleic Acid Chemistry, and Protein Science. You may search for protocols within individual titles, or search all available titles simultaneously. Note: At this time Current Protocols Online is not accessible through the Netscape 7.0 browser. (Although it initially appears to work because you can click through to the chapter level before an error message appears). Use any other version of Netscape or Internet Explorer to access these manuals.

All Current Protocols manuals are carefully selected for maximum general applicability, lab-tested in leading laboratories, and then thoroughly reviewed by expert scientists. They include authentic, easy to duplicate methods for standard techniques like plasmid DNA preparation, Western and Southern blotting, as well as relatively new technologies like SAGE (Serial Analysis of Gene Expression) and SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) genotyping using microarrays. Each protocol provides:

• Quarterly supplements with new / revised methods,
• Step-by-step protocols with tips, optional procedures, alternate and support methods for different equipment,
• Materials list including supplier information,
• Expert commentaries
• References with list of Internet resources

If you would like to suggest access to Current Protocols Online in a subject area to which HSLS is not currently subscribed, or have questions about these two new resources, please contact Dr. Chattopadhyay at ansuman@pitt.edu or 412-648-1297.

--Ansuman Chattopadhyay